Automotive-Related Product Packaging

ABSTRACT

A set of automotive-related product packaging having a set of common features. Each of the product packages provide for point of sales display, easy transportation, and storage of the product when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent 60/481,333 filed Sep. 4, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to packaging for automotive-related products. Specifically, the invention relates to improved product packaging that provides for a stand alone display, provides for a reusable product storage device, and employs common themes across product lines.

Product packaging in general is important in the marketing of products as it represents the final opportunity for a company to provide information regarding the product and demonstrate the product's superiority to related or competitive products. In this regard, the product packaging must be sleek and compact, durable, capable of providing product information and cable of securing the product. Sometimes the product packing also provides features that protect the product from damage during transfer, display or storage. Most product packing is disposed of after purchase. Frequently consumers are then required to purchase separate product storage devices to store the product when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging for automotive-related products. Each of the packages provide for a stand alone display, a reusable product storage device and employ common themes to provide a common look and functionality across the product line.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a ten-count bungee cord packaging.

FIG. 2 illustrates the packaging of FIG. 1 including a set of bungee cords.

FIG. 3 illustrate a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging.

FIG. 4 illustrates the packaging of FIG. 3 including a set of bungee cords.

FIG. 5 illustrates a ten-count bungee cord packaging including a body comprised of opposing arcs.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the packaging shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an angled cross-sectional view of the packaging shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging including a body comprised of opposing arcs.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the packaging shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates a single hitch ball packaging.

FIG. 11 illustrates a hitch ball and lock packaging.

FIG. 12 illustrates a two hitch ball packaging.

FIG. 13 illustrates a three hitch ball packaging.

FIG. 14 illustrates a four cord ratchet strap packaging.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 illustrates a back view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 illustrates a second embodiment of a four cord ratchet strap packaging.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a back view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates a packing for a single large ratchet strap.

FIG. 21 illustrates a two cord ratchet strap package with hinged portions in a closed position.

FIG. 22 illustrates the ratchet strap package of FIG. 21 in the open position.

FIG. 23 illustrates a four cord ratchet strap package with hinged portions in a closed position.

FIG. 24 illustrates the ratchet strap package of FIG. 23 in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to improved product packaging in general, and specifically to improved product packaging for automotive-related products. The improved automotive-related product packaging that provides for a stand alone display, provides for a reusable product storage device, and employs common themes across product lines. Although this disclosure is directed primarily to hitch balls, bungee cords and ratchet straps, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the concepts described herein apply to a variety of products and that it is not feasible to describe each of such products in detail. As such, it should be recognized that the concepts described herein are not limited to the illustrative examples embodied within this application, but instead apply generally to automotive-related products to the extent such products fall within the scope of the claims herein.

FIGS. 1-9 illustrate various improved bungee cord packaging. FIG. 1 illustrates a ten count bungee cord packaging, with FIG. 2 illustrating the packaging with bungee cords attached. FIG. 3 illustrates a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging with FIG. 4 illustrating the packaging with bungee cords attached. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a different embodiment of a ten-count bungee cord packaging, while FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a different embodiment of a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging. It should be appreciated that the number of bungee cords that the bungee packaging is designed to hold can be varied and the scope of this application is meant to cover bungee cord packaging for various numbers of bungee cords.

The bungee cord packaging 10 of FIGS. 1-4 includes a generally planar body 15, generally comprised of plastic or other suitable material, which may include a cut-out section 18. The bungee cord packaging 10 includes a set of scallops 20 located along the bottom of the body 15, a series of apertures 25, a series of hooked edges 28 and a handle 30. Bungee cords 31, which generally include two hooked ends 32, can be attached to the packaging 10 by hooking each of the hooked ends 32 to one of scallops 20, hooked edges 28 or handle 30. For example, a bungee cord 31 can be hooked at one end by attaching one hooked end to a portion of an aperture 25 and attaching the other hooked end to one of the scallops 20. In other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, both hooked ends 32 are attached to the scallops 20 and the cord 31 is draped through either one of the apertures 25 or hooked edges 28. In some embodiments, the apertures 25 have a one or more low spots 33. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are two such apertures, a circular aperture 25 a and an elongated aperture 25 b. The circular aperture 25 a has a single low spot 33 at the bottom of the circular aperture 25 a. The elongated aperture 25 b includes two low spots 33 at either end of the elongated aperture 25 b, as shown in FIG. 1, or across the bottom 39 injection molded tabs 118 that would allow for hanging of the packaging 100 during display or storage of the elongated aperture 25 b, as shown in FIG. 3. These low spots 33 assist in maintaining the bungee cords in a generally parallel relationship to each other and keep the bungee cords 31 from overlapping one another. In some embodiments, the hooked edges 28 include tabs 35 that provide low spots 33 on the edge and keep the bungee cords 31 properly aligned. Furthermore, in some embodiments the handle 30 includes low spots 33 for attaching or draping bungee cords 31. The handle 30 may also include a tab portion 37 for hanging the packaging 10.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5-9, the body 40 is non-planar. As shown, the body 40 is formed from two opposing arced surfaces, and upper arced surface 42 and a lower arced surface 44. The arced surfaces 42, 44 provide rigidity to the body 40. For larger packages 10, such as that shown in FIG. 8, a rib 46 may intersect the cutout portion and connects the two arced surfaces. Furthermore, the packaging 10 may include means for allowing the packaging to free-stand. As an illustrative example, extended members 48 may be added along the scallops 20 that will allow the packaging to stand as it basically forms a tripod with ends 49 and extended members 48 forming the contact points of the tripod. Although not shown in the Figures, ends 49 may include more pronounced horizontal portions that assist in providing contact with a flat surface and further provide additional axial distance from the extended members 48. The packaging may include other means or mechanisms for allowing the packaging to free stand. The arced surfaces further allow multiple packages 10 to nest in with one another, making them easier to transport and store.

In some embodiments holes are placed along the body 15 of the packaging so that cable ties, wire or other comparable mechanisms can be passed through the body of the packaging and further secure the bungee cords 31. In other embodiments, clips, such as, for example, molded in clips are placed along the surface of the body 15 to further secure the bungee cords.

In some embodiments, labels are placed along the surface of the packaging body 15 that indicate what size bungee cord 31 should be secured in a particular position on the packaging 10. The labels can be any form, such as, for example, markings, stickers, or molded markers. Furthermore, the labels can provide information in the form of numbers, colors or diagrams. In some other embodiments, surfaces of the body 15 have display regions, such as recessed regions for stick on labels that provide information regarding the packaging 10 or bungee cords 31 thereon.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate various improved hitch ball packaging. FIG. 10 illustrates a single hitch ball packaging. FIG. 11 illustrates a hitch ball and lock assembly packaging. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate multi-hitch ball packaging. It should be appreciated that FIGS. 10-13 merely illustrate examples of hitch ball packaging and that modifications to such designs are feasible depending on the construction and configuration of the hitch ball product. It should also be appreciated that these packages can be extended to other related products, such as, for example, adjustable hitch balls.

FIG. 10 illustrates a single hitch ball packaging, generally referenced as 100. The packaging 100 includes two side walls 102, a back wall 104, a top wall 105 and a partial front wall 106. The walls 102, 104, 105 and 106 are preferably a hard plastic or other material that will provide durability and rigidity. The side walls 102 are generally radiussed towards each other to provide a dome-shaped top portion 108 of the single hitch ball packaging 100. A center cavity 110 is formed between each of the walls and is designed for placement of a hitch ball. A center plate 112 is provided upon with a hitch ball can be secured. The center plate 112 is generally perpendicular to and intersects the back wall 104 and the partial front wall 106. An aperture 114 is placed in the center plate 112 for receiving a hitch ball. A hitch ball, having a ball portion and a threaded portion, is secured in the packaging 100 by placement of the threaded member through the aperture 114. The hitch ball can then be secured in place by tightening a nut or other member onto the threaded portion of the hitch ball such that it traps the center plate 112 between the ball portion of the hitch ball and the nut. The nut can then be accessed either from the bottom of the packaging or from an aperture in the back wall 104 of the packaging 100. Front and side walls 106, 102 may include display regions 116, shown as recessed areas in FIGS. 10 and 11. These display regions 116 can include information about the product and may include product labels. The packaging 100 may optionally include injection molded tabs 118 that would allow for hanging of the packaging 100 during display or storage. It should be appreciated that the hitch ball can be sold in the packaging 100 and that once a product has been purchased, stored in the packaging when the hitch ball is not in use.

FIG. 11 illustrates a hitch ball and lock assembly packaging 120. In general, the construction is similar, and similar components have been referenced using the same numbers as used in packaging 100. Packaging 120 includes apertures 121 on either side of aperture 114 through with components of the lock assembly can be inserted. In addition, slot 122 may be included in the front wall 106 wherein a consumer can view the bottom or threaded portion of the hitch ball and the nut attached thereto.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate multi-hitch ball packaging 130, two and three respectively. It should be appreciated that the invention may apply to packaging that can accommodate any number of hitch balls. It should be appreciated that the packaging 130 may accommodate similar hitch balls, or different size or configuration hitch balls. Additionally, multi-hitch ball packaging may take the same general shape as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, with additional apertures for additional hitch balls, or may take the form as shown in the FIGS. 12 and 13. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the packaging 130 includes a base region 132 and an extended region 134 which includes side supports 135. The base region 132 includes four side walls 136 and a top surface 138 including a series of apertures 140, the number of which corresponds to the number of hitch balls meant to be stored or packaged in the packaging 130. The extended portion 134 is generally centered about the center of the apertures 140 in the top surface 138 of the base portion 132. The extended portion 134 further includes a series of cutout sections 142, the number of which corresponds to the number of hitch balls meant to be stored or packaged in the packaging 130. The cutout sections 142 generally are configured to match the overall shape of the hitch balls placed in the packaging 130. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the configuration of the cutout section 142 may be different or substantially the same. The extended portion may further include one or more injection molded tabs 144 that would allow for hanging of the packaging 130 during display or storage.

FIGS. 14-24 illustrate various ratchet strap packaging 200. FIGS. 14-16 and 17-19 illustrate two different four cord packages; FIG. 20 illustrates a package for a large ratchet strap, such as a 27 foot strap; and FIGS. 21-22 and 23-24 illustrate a two and a four cord package, respectively, with fold-out windows.

FIGS. 14-16 illustrate a first embodiment of a ratchet strap packaging 200. In this embodiment, the packaging includes compartments 210 for each ratchet strap. Each compartment 210 includes a base portion 215 and a top portion 217 which are secured against a backing wall 220 The compartments 210 generally include divider walls 222 that maintain each ratchet strap separate. Both the top portion 217 and the bottom portion 215 generally snap connect to the backing wall 220 at connection points 225. In some embodiments, the base portion 215, or top portion 217, include a viewing window 230 to provide viewing access to the portion of the ratchet strap covered by the base portion 215. In some embodiments hooks 333 are used to against in securing the ratchet strap. In other embodiments, tabs 335 are placed in the top of the backing wall 220 for hanging of the packaging 200.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate another embodiment, similar to that shown in FIGS. 14-16. As a principle difference, the top portion 217 and bottom portion 215 are combined into a single piece connected by side walls 240. The top portion and bottom portion can be secured to a backing wall similarly to that shown in FIGS. 14-16, namely using snap together connections, or can be secured with ties that pass through holes 238. In other embodiments, a backing wall is not used, but instead ties are used to secure the ratchet strap in the packaging 200.

FIG. 20 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 14-16, except that it is configured to store or display a single large ratchet strap. A compartment 250 is used to coil the strap, while compartment 255 is used to secure the ratchet.

FIGS. 21-22 and 23-24 only differ in the number of ratchet straps they are designed to hold, two and four respectively. Compartments 220 are formed between a back wall 260, side walls 262, top wall 264, bottom wall 266 and divider walls 268. A covering 270 is then hingedly attached to a top and bottom walls 264, 266 and preferably have an open space 275 between them.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. Automotive-related product packaging comprising: a means for retaining an automotive-related product; a means for displaying at least a portion of said automotive-related product; and wherein said means for retaining said automotive-related product can be selectively removed and replaced from said automotive-related product packaging such that said automotive-related product can be selectively removed for use and replaced for storage.
 2. A bungee cord package comprising: a body; a set of scallops located along a bottom portion of said body; and a set of apertures in said body, said set of apertures located at varying distances from said scallops.
 3. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising one or more hooked edges.
 4. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising a cut-out section in said body.
 5. The bungee cord package of claim 2 wherein said body is generally planar.
 6. The bungee cord package of claim 2 wherein said body is arced.
 7. The bungee cord package of claim 2 wherein said body is comprised of two opposing arced portions.
 8. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising a means for allowing the bungee cord package to free-stand.
 9. The bungee cord package of claim 8 wherein said means for allowing the bungee cord package to free stand comprises one or more elongated member.
 10. The bungee cord package of claim 9 wherein said one or more elongated members are located between the scallops.
 11. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising one or more bungee cord length labels located on said body.
 12. The bungee cord package of claim 11, wherein said one or more bungee cord length labels are integrally molded into said body.
 13. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising one or more hang tabs.
 14. The bungee cord package of claim 2, wherein each of said set of apertures includes at least one low spot.
 15. The bungee cord package of claim 2 further comprising a handle.
 16. A bungee cord package comprising: a base comprised of two opposing arced portions; and a means for securing one or more bungee cords.
 17. The bungee cord package of claim 16, wherein said means for securing one or more bungee cords include a set of scallops and a set of apertures.
 18. The bungee cord package of claim 16 further comprising a means for allowing the bungee cord package to free-stand.
 19. The bungee cord package of claim 18, wherein said means for allowing the bungee cord package to free-stand includes one or more elongated members and two end members.
 20. A bungee cord package comprising: a base comprised of two opposing arced portions; and a member for securing one or more bungee cords.
 21. A bungee cord package comprising: a base; means for securing one or more bungee cords secured across the base; and a means for allowing the bungee cord package to free stand.
 22. The bungee cord package of claim 21, wherein said means for securing one or more bungee cords secured across the base includes a set of scallops and a set of apertures.
 23. A hitch ball package comprising: two side walls connected by a top wall and a front wall; a surface extending between said two side walls, said surface including an aperture for receiving a first portion of a hitch ball; and a center cavity surrounded by said two side walls and said top wall, wherein said center cavity exposes a second portion of said hitch ball.
 24. The hitch ball package of claim 23, wherein a portion of each of said two side walls arc toward each other to form a dome-shaped section.
 25. The hitch ball package of claim 23 further comprising at least one hang tab.
 26. The hitch ball package of claim 23 further comprising one or more display regions.
 27. The hitch ball package of claim 26, wherein said one or more display regions are recessed within one or more of said two side walls and said front wall.
 28. The hitch ball package of claim 23 further comprising a set of apertures for receiving a portion of a hitch ball lock.
 29. The hitch ball package of claim 23 further comprising one or more slots in said front wall.
 30. A hitch ball package for multiple hitch balls, said package comprising: a base portion including a set of apertures for receiving a first portion of one or more hitch balls; and an extended portion extending from said base portion including a set of cut-outs corresponding to said set of apertures and configured to receive a second portion of said one or more hitch balls; wherein said second portion of said one or more hitch balls are exposed on substantially all side of said second portion of said one or more hitch balls.
 31. The hitch ball package of claim 30 further comprising side supports connecting said base portion with said extended portion.
 32. The hitch ball package of claim 30, wherein said set of cut-outs includes at least two cut out portions that have different shapes.
 33. A ratchet strap package comprising: at least two compartments each for securing a ratchet strap, said at least two compartments including a base portion and a top portion and a space therebetween exposing a portion of each of said ratchet straps; and a hook for retaining each ratchet strap within each of said at least two compartments.
 34. The ratchet strap package of claim 33 further comprising a viewing window in at least one of said base portion and said top portion.
 35. The ratchet strap package of claim 33 wherein said base portion and said top portion are hingedly connected to said at least two compartments. 